Filmon Meried
AP Lang, Per 7
February 6, 2010
Frank Rich speaks about Barack Obama's State of the Union address a couple of weeks ago, and he states that this was one of Obama's greatest moments, and that if Americans have doubted him before, now was the time to believe in him, which I agree with. Obama proposed numerous solutions for the economy. He begins, “the worst storm has passed,” and rants about the bank bailouts and how it has irritated Americans, and himself, but likes to reassure them that it was necessary, otherwise “unemployment might [have been] double what it is today.” Despite what Wall Street thinks, those banks are being given a “modest” fee to pay the taxpayers back, hopefully American citizens can look forward to this for now, instead of looking at what will effect them in a couple years. In addition, he is giving a tax break for the corporations that create jobs in America and slashing tax breaks for companies that send jobs overseas (especially since the “number 1 focus in 2010” is jobs). He means well, but by 2012, he might not be the President anymore, so it won’t be as easy executing that idea, but like Rich said, "But [the Republican's] own alternatives are downright hilarious."
“Let’s put aside the school yard taunts about who’s tough,” and get real. Another responsibility the President has is being in charge of the U.S. armed forces: the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines, or simply the Commander-in-Chief. The President was concerned on national security, bringing up the “unacceptable” attack during Christmas and filling the gaps by creating more secure airline security. With that added note, he attempted to comfort Americans by reminding them that “hundreds of Al Qaeda” members (senior leaders, fighters, and partners) have been captured/killed, which faintly implies that torture was used even when he said they they’ve prohibited torture in the preceding sentence of his speech. To further deter terrorism on America as quickly as possible, the number of troops is being increased in Afghanistan by July 2011, and a non-solid date (long awaited) has been given for when the combat troops will withdraw Iraq, which is August of this year. He believes George W. Bush’s unintended goal of peace and prosperity can continue without- especially without Americans, yet the catch is we will still support them. Obama’s wife, Michelle, and Jill Biden has also applied herself to a national commitment to support the veterans and their families upon their return home. For those who want to fight for the country, referring to the gay Americans who are denied the right to serve the country, Obama will discuss with Congress and the Army to repeal it, but as long as gay Americans are fighting for the right to fight, they will fight for gay marriage. Meaning, they will not go with one deal, without the other. The greatest danger to the American people,” Obama in explaining his diplomatic efforts, “the threat of nuclear weapons.” 44 countries will gather in the capitol for the Nuclear Security Summit with the objective of “securing all vulnerable nuclear materials around the world in four years so that they never fall into the hands of terrorists.”
Amidst the hopelessness Americans have had lately with Obama, he says, “Remember this: I never suggested that change would be easy or that I could do it alone.” It’s just a matter of time that change will pervade and we will just have to be patient. Again, as his reassurement to solving these problems, he concludes his address: ”We don't quit. I don't quit. Let's seize this moment, to start anew, to carry the dream forward, and to strengthen our union once more," and that makes me want to believe more, along with millions of other Americans.
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http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/31/opinion/31rich.htmlFilmon Meried
AP Lang, Per 7
February 6, 2010
Frank Rich speaks about Barack Obama's State of the Union address a couple of weeks ago, and he states that this was one of Obama's greatest moments, and that if Americans have doubted him before, now was the time to believe in him, which I agree with. Obama proposed numerous solutions for the economy. He begins, “the worst storm has passed,” and rants about the bank bailouts and how it has irritated Americans, and himself, but likes to reassure them that it was necessary, otherwise “unemployment might [have been] double what it is today.” Despite what Wall Street thinks, those banks are being given a “modest” fee to pay the taxpayers back, hopefully American citizens can look forward to this for now, instead of looking at what will effect them in a couple years. In addition, he is giving a tax break for the corporations that create jobs in America and slashing tax breaks for companies that send jobs overseas (especially since the “number 1 focus in 2010” is jobs). He means well, but by 2012, he might not be the President anymore, so it won’t be as easy executing that idea, but like Rich said, "But [the Republican's] own alternatives are downright hilarious."
“Let’s put aside the school yard taunts about who’s tough,” and get real. Another responsibility the President has is being in charge of the U.S. armed forces: the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines, or simply the Commander-in-Chief. The President was concerned on national security, bringing up the “unacceptable” attack during Christmas and filling the gaps by creating more secure airline security. With that added note, he attempted to comfort Americans by reminding them that “hundreds of Al Qaeda” members (senior leaders, fighters, and partners) have been captured/killed, which faintly implies that torture was used even when he said they they’ve prohibited torture in the preceding sentence of his speech. To further deter terrorism on America as quickly as possible, the number of troops is being increased in Afghanistan by July 2011, and a non-solid date (long awaited) has been given for when the combat troops will withdraw Iraq, which is August of this year. He believes George W. Bush’s unintended goal of peace and prosperity can continue without- especially without Americans, yet the catch is we will still support them. Obama’s wife, Michelle, and Jill Biden has also applied herself to a national commitment to support the veterans and their families upon their return home. For those who want to fight for the country, referring to the gay Americans who are denied the right to serve the country, Obama will discuss with Congress and the Army to repeal it, but as long as gay Americans are fighting for the right to fight, they will fight for gay marriage. Meaning, they will not go with one deal, without the other. The greatest danger to the American people,” Obama in explaining his diplomatic efforts, “the threat of nuclear weapons.” 44 countries will gather in the capitol for the Nuclear Security Summit with the objective of “securing all vulnerable nuclear materials around the world in four years so that they never fall into the hands of terrorists.”
Amidst the hopelessness Americans have had lately with Obama, he says, “Remember this: I never suggested that change would be easy or that I could do it alone.” It’s just a matter of time that change will pervade and we will just have to be patient. Again, as his reassurement to solving these problems, he concludes his address: ”We don't quit. I don't quit. Let's seize this moment, to start anew, to carry the dream forward, and to strengthen our union once more," and that makes me want to believe more, along with millions of other Americans.